Long days at work during the week call for cosy movie marathons over the weekend. And with today’s smart TVs, you can explore a treasure trove of streaming content tailored to every budget. These TVs offer a plethora of entertainment options to consumers thanks to pre-installed streaming apps.
With monthly subscriptions that range from Rs. 149 to Rs. 649 and features including mobile-only viewing, standard definition, and Ultra HD streaming across multiple devices, Netflix is a well-liked option.
For Rs. 1,499 a year, Amazon Prime Video provides various national and international entertainment options, including movies, series, Amazon Originals, and local content. Additionally, you can get extra benefits, such as free shipping on orders on the Amazon shopping app, access to Prime music, and a wide range of e-books for reading on your Kindle.
Similarly, Disney+ Hotstar provides a range of sports, TV shows, and movies, starting at Rs. 899 and going up to Rs. 1,499 per year.
These streaming platforms have been smoothly integrated into the systems of many smart TVs. You can find major streaming services pre-installed on Samsung’s Tizen OS TVSs and LG’s webOS TVs. Moreover, Sony TVs also allow users to download additional apps from the Google Play Store.
A few TV giants like Mi have developed proprietary content aggregation systems like PatchWall that combine content from many streaming sites into an easy-to-use interface. Popular streaming services sometimes provide free trial options with many popular TVs or subscription plans at a considerable price cut. This integration ensures easy access to a whole new world of entertainment, transforming your living room into a theatre.
Budget-friendly streaming: Selection of affordable TVs for entertainment
Experience high-quality streaming and immersive viewing on a budget with these affordable TVs. Let’s check out an array of options that offer top-notch entertainment without breaking the bank.
Sony Bravia 2 4K Ultra HD LED Google TV
Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar are readily available in the Sony Bravia 2. Plus, Google Assistant on this Sony TV allows for hands-free voice control when you’re searching for your favourite shows and the intelligent UI makes finding content simple with personalised recommendations.
Samsung CUE60 4K Ultra HD LED Tizen TV
The Samsung CUE60 TV features Samsung’s Smart Hub, which provides easy access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Samsung TV Plus, and Disney+Hotstar. Moreover, Samsung TV Plus offers free streaming of a diverse range of channels directly on your TV, enhancing your viewing options at no cost.
LG UT80 4K Ultra HD LED WebOS TV
The LG UT80 TV’s intuitive WebOS platform makes it easy to access popular streaming services like Disney+Hotstar, Apple TV, Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. Additionally, you can control your Smart TV and browse apps with ease, all thanks to the LG ThinQ app.
Croma EL7367 4K Ultra HD LED Fire TV
The Croma EL7367 offers simple access to a variety of streaming apps, including Netflix, Prime Video, Zee5, Sony LIV, and YouTube, thanks to the pre-installed Amazon Fire TV interface. Additionally, it has Dolby Vision for vibrant colours and Dolby Atmos for immersive sound.
Akai AKLT32S-DFS6T HD-ready LED smart Fire TV
The Akai AKLT32S-DFS6T TV features Amazon’s Fire TV interface for easy access to streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, SonyLiv, Zee5 and so much more. Thanks to its dynamic contrast and backlight feature, watching every movie and every show becomes a visual delight.
Balancing content and cost in smart TVs
Smart viewers can use various techniques to maximise their streaming subscriptions without exceeding their budget. Many streaming services allow multiple users to share a single subscription through family plans.
For example, Netflix’s Standard and Premium subscriptions enable streaming on two or four devices simultaneously, making it cost-effective to share an account with friends or family.
Amazon Prime Video also allows you to share the same account with multiple family members in the household as part of the Amazon Prime membership.
Certain telecom companies include streaming service subscriptions in their package offers. For instance, Jio provides plans with free memberships to OTT services like Disney+ Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video. Students can also benefit from special pricing on streaming services. Amazon Prime’s annual subscription can also be availed by students with a substantial discount.
You can also save significantly by looking out for seasonal deals, as many platforms offer affordable yearly subscriptions during holidays or special occasions. Another effective tactic is to alternate subscriptions. After a few months of binge-watching your service’s content, you can switch to another. This method allows you to explore a variety of content without managing multiple subscriptions simultaneously. Thus, you can enjoy a variety of content while managing your entertainment without breaking your wallet.
